Preparatory work on Contrecoeur expansion to begin this fall

The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) unveiled an updated construction schedule as well as key environmental compensation measures for the Port of Montreal’s Contrecoeur expansion project.

In keeping with the conditions attached to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s (IAAC) Decision Statement issued in March 2021, the MPA announced that work, which could have begun as early as September 29, is now expected to start in the coming weeks. This will be possible once the final details of the contractual agreement with the consortium responsible for water works, including preparatory activities, are completed.

“Over the past few weeks, the future terminal has reached several key milestones to equip Canada with additional capacity, enabling local businesses to access international markets. To finalize negotiations with the consortium carrying out the works, the closing date has been extended. This adjustment does not affect the project delivery date and will allow us to begin site preparation gradually this fall. Water works will follow once the required permits are in place,” said Paul Bird, chief commercial officer at the Montreal Port Authority.

Preparatory work will include the installation of fences and access roads, construction of work platforms, selective tree clearing, and the setup of on-site offices. With the exception of a diversion fence that requires authorization under the Species at Risk Act, the MPA has held the necessary permits for this work since March 2021. 

At the same time, the MPA is actively pursuing the implementation of various environmental compensation plans associated with the project. These plans make it possible to act upstream of the impacts associated with the work and are subject to rigorous monitoring by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC).

“The rigorous framework surrounding this project ensures that it will be carried out responsibly and in constant dialogue with the community. Our goal is to prove that major economic development can go hand in hand with environmental protection,” added Bird.

To date, several conditions of the Decision Statement have already been met, including:

• Compensation for fish habitats;
• Compensation for bank swallow habitats;
• Compensation for waterbird habitats;
• Compensation for bat habitats.

By the end of fall, three other compensation plans will be implemented:

• The construction of dikes and breakwaters for the planting of food beds for the copper redhorse;
• Continuation of tree planting begun in 2024 to compensate for tree cutting;
• Creation of wetlands on our land in Contrecœur.

The MPA also indicated that, in July, it submitted an update to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada regarding the work associated with the project. These adjustments, summarized in the document filed with the relevant authorities, primarily include clarifications and optimization measures. According to the MPA, the proposed changes to the project are not likely to result in negative environmental effects. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is holding a consultation on the proposed amendments to the decision statement, and the MPA invited stakeholders to participate.

Featured image: (Montreal Port Authority)